Volkswagen abruptly parts ways with historian who wrote about its forced labour and Nazi past

German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler speaks at the opening ceremony of a Volkswagen car factory
in Fallersleben, Lower Saxony.

BERLIN — Volkswagen has been struggling for a year to repair the damage caused by a scandal over its cover-up of diesel emissions, promising honesty and transparency. Now historians are accusing the company of reverting to secretive ways on a different subject: the Nazi past of German automakers.

Volkswagen, which became something of a pioneer in revealing the company’s employment of thousands of forced laborers during the Second World War, has abruptly parted ways with the company historian.

The historian, Manfred Grieger, and the company have declined to comment on the circumstances behind his departure, citing a mutual agreement to end his contract.

But the mystery over precisely why Grieger left — and whether he was dismissed — has complicated Volkswagen’s effort to regain public trust, and risks stirring up a dark chapter in company history.  (more...)

Volkswagen abruptly parts ways with historian who wrote about its forced labour and Nazi past

Background:

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